Hi guys,
 
I thought Fang had gone through such an awful experience until I read about
poor Sprinkle's reaction to distemper vaccine.  That person was right , of
course, and it is said many times on the FML about not taking our babies
for granted, b/c they can be whisked away in a second.  When Fang was
dying, I only felt the pain of how I would miss him, and how he was
suffering at the moment...I never would have had regrets that we didn't
spend enough time with him...he came first around our house in the pecking
order :-)
 
I wanted also, to clarify what my whole meaning was in my last post: I
didn't know how easy it was for most of you to get donor blood from other
ferrets so easily.  I suppose it is due to location, and the lack of ferret
shelters, etc., where I live.  We have no ferret clubs, and I only know of
two ferret owners here.  When all of this happened to Fang, we were in
the city (not large compared to most of YOUR cities), and at the mercy of
complete strangers trying to find a donor.  I posted about it because I
wanted to warn some of you that if your ferret is dying and in need of a
transfusion, there had better be a ferret available.  In Sprinkle's case,
it seemed easy to get....(but the poor thing went through a horrible time
first)....in my case, Fang was dying and there was no blood available !
That was the terrifying part...that he was bleeding to death, and I felt so
helpless.  If you are in doubt of ferret blood available, please check it
out in your area, and make sure there is an owner who will be willing to
let you draw blood from her ferret at the risk involved.  Some are too old,
and just can't go through the anesthesia risk.  I know so many of you have
gone through insulinoma and adrenal surgeries...that ended up being a piece
of cake....it was the liver complication that we didn't foresee.  If we
hadn't done the surgery, the vet said he would have died within two days.
 
Another thing I meant to tell you.  The vet had two different ferret owners
come in that week with insulinoma and adrenal symptoms (and positive test
results) that declined any surgery due to the cost.  They even declined
trying pred.,which is fairly is cheap .  They just took their babies home
to suffer and die.  That brought the final straw to the pain I was feeling
already.  Those ferrets had no choices for what was in store for them.
Fang's ordeal cost me $675 (including the blood test I had at the original
vet), and I am supposed to take him in for MORE tests in three days (again
to the local vet), as my surgeon is in Vegas.  His PCV on Friday was 32,
and his blood sugar, a 232.  Vet said it was okay to be really high
following surgery.  HiS PRE surgery blood sugar was a 37 if I remember
correctly.  (the first test locally that alerted us was a 50) I'm not sure
I want to put him through more testing so soon, b/c what if he doesn't clot
again???  I don't really want to, but I don't know if it's okay NOT to.
The money part is hard, but have already sold an antique chair and an
antique butter churn to help pay.The love of a pet has no monetary value.
 
Fang's tummy is no longer burgundy black (black cherry ) ; it is now normal
*bruise color* , and the rest of him is trying very hard to get better.
Keeping him in his cage for two weeks will allow him plenty of time to plan
a really big poop to deposit in the middle of the floor when he gets out,
just to get even.  This was my first time around, and now I feel less
secure about the post -op care.  I have passed the first step on my way to
someday being one of you *ferret home nurses and poopie specialists*.
 
I was very moved by your notes and prayers.  Wanted also to say how much I
loved Ronnie's poem for his dog Max..  very fitting for any of our babies.
On the way home with Fang after his transfusion and near death experience,
I heard a song on the Religious station (no, I don't go to church every
Sunday, but this last year I have grown stronger in my beliefs, and more
emotional from others' testimonials about both humans and animals).  This
song had the words, "if you could see me now, I walk on streets of gold,
and I am whole at last...and about how "you wouldn't want me to leave this
most perfect place, and not to be sad for me".  I thought of how I almost
lost Fang, and of all your fuzzies who have gone to the Bridge, and of
my aging (age 89) parents, and I had tears for over twenty miles while
driving.( I am scary on the road WITHOUT tears) I have become so emotional
the last year, a lot because of the love that Fang has brought me (and my
golden retriever too)..  You guys know exactly what I mean.  If you ever
hear that song, think of your fuzzies and the bridge.  It is perfect; a
tear jerker, but perfect.
 
I am still two weeks behind in my FML, so if you have experienced pain and
loss, I am so sorry.  Bless your hearts, and I wish for you Happy, Healthy
Tails,
 
Lizzi and Frankenstein Fang
[Posted in FML issue 2965]